Setting the Scene: Honoring the senior class ahead of its 1 p.m. kickoff against Carthage College, the North Central College football team welcomes the Firebirds to Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium for a College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin contest.
Series History: The Cardinals hold a 40-27-3 all-time mark in the series and are riding a 20-game winning streak over the Firebirds. North Central is outscoring Carthage 195-0 in the last three matchups.
North Central dominated from start to finish in a 62-0 victory over Carthage, piling up 688 total yards while holding the Firebirds to just 100. After forcing an early punt, the Cardinals struck first on a 10-yard touchdown run by Sean Allen before capitalizing on turnovers forced by Danny Nuccio and Maverick Ohle. Garret Wilson connected with Jack Rummell and Thomas Skokna for touchdown passes as North Central built a 27-0 halftime lead.
The Cardinals continued their offensive surge in the second half, with Skokna and Rummell each catching a second touchdown pass. Wilson later found Jordan Williams for another score, while Donovan McNeal and Zeb Rashid added fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns. Wilson finished 20-of-27 passing for 295 yards and five touchdowns. Allen rushed for 85 yards and two scores, while Rummell and Skokna each recorded two touchdown receptions.
Defensively, North Central forced multiple turnovers, recorded three sacks, and held Carthage scoreless while limiting the Firebirds to 0-for-11 on third-down attempts.
Senior Class: The 2026 football seniors have compiled a 49-3 record over the past four seasons, with a 31-1 mark in CCIW play. This group has made three straight NCAA Division III National Championship appearances, winning the 2024 Stagg Bowl.
 |
 |
 |
| Seniors Boyd Dose (left), Kaden Hartnett (middle) and Dawson Trebolo (right) |
National Rankings: North Central is ranked No. 4 in the D3football.com poll while the American Football Coaches Association Division III Top 25 has the Cardinals as the No. 5 team in the nation. Wheaton College remains the top-ranked team in both polls, with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville ranked second. St. John's University moved ahead of the Cardinals into third, with UW-Whitewater rounding out the top five. Hardin-Simmons University, Endicott College, Washington University in St. Louis, Hope College and Christopher Newport University make up the top 10.
Scouting the Firebirds: Carthage enters the week with a 3-4 overall record and a 2-3 mark in CCIW play. The Firebirds opened the season with a win over Lakeland before dropping three straight contests, including losses to Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan. Carthage has rebounded by winning two of its last three games, highlighted by conference victories over Elmhurst and Millikin. The Firebirds are averaging 14.6 points per game while allowing 20.9 points per contest.
Carthage averages 206.4 yards of total offense per game, including 120.6 passing yards and 85.9 rushing yards per contest. The Firebirds have forced nine interceptions and recovered eight fumbles while throwing nine interceptions and losing five fumbles.
Quarterback Leo Chiappetta has completed 61 of 118 passes (51.7%) for 630 yards and three touchdowns while adding 26 rushing yards. Jack DeFilippis has contributed 88 passing yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 85 yards.
The Firebirds' leading receiver is Quinten Jackson, who has recorded 10 receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown. Joey Schilke ranks second with 12 catches for 119 yards, while Haiden Janke has added 11 receptions for 113 yards.
Leading the rushing attack is Chase Nurczyk, who has rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries. Davion Hayes has added 185 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Janke has chipped in 94 yards and one score.
Defensively, Jeremy Rowlett leads Carthage with 58 tackles and 15 tackles for loss, while Ramon Campos has totaled 51 stops. The Firebirds have recorded 49 tackles for loss and six sacks through seven games. Briton Stanton, Adam Contreras, Brad Filippis and Jordan Honor each have one interception. Opponents are averaging 331.6 yards of total offense per game against Carthage, including 152.1 rushing yards and 179.4 passing yards per contest.
On special teams, kicker Mugdim Kreho is 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and 10-for-10 on PATs. Punter Matt Grzyb averages 38.4 yards per punt, while Hayes leads the return game with a 27.3-yard kickoff return average and a kickoff return touchdown.
Threads: North Central is showcasing its eighth straight unique jersey combo vs. Carthage with a white helmet, black jersey and white pants.
Oct. 29, 2005 - North Central delivered a dominant 52-14 victory over Millikin to improve to 8-1, marking the first eight-win season in program history. The Cardinals overcame injuries throughout the roster and received contributions from all phases. Chuck Earnest led the passing attack with eight catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyke Spencer added four receptions for 92 yards and two scores. Steve Holden rushed for more than 100 yards and multiple touchdowns as North Central totaled 217 rushing yards and did not allow a sack. Defensively, the Cardinals held Millikin to just 157 total yards, forced three turnovers, recorded four sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Millikin's only two touchdowns came on drives set up by turnovers, as North Central controlled the game from start to finish.
Around the CCIW: All four Halloween CCIW games take place during the day. Elmhurst hosts Millikin for a noon kickoff. North Park hosts Carroll and Augustana hosts Wheaton for 1 p.m. starts.
Looking around Division III: There are two Top 25 matchups Saturday, with No. 10 Christopher Newport hosting No. 23 Rowan and No. 25 DePauw hosting No. 14 John Carroll.
